Valve-operating mechanism



May 12, 1925,. 1,537,837

. J. F. LENNON VALVE OPERATING- MECHANISM Filed March 12, 1923 I I rmenhgil Patented May 12, 1925.

JOSEPH F. LENNON, 01E PAINESVILLE, OHIO.

VALVE-OPERATI1\TG MECHANISM.

Application filed March 12, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr F. LENNON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Painesville, in the county of Lake and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a valve-operating mechanism therefor.

This invention has to do particularly with a mechanism for operating valves known as the overhead type, that is, with the valves arranged in the head end of the cylinders. Heretofore with known types of valve-oper ating mechanisms, considerable noise has been occasioned by the operation of the same, which in itself has made overhead valves objectionable particularly in view of the fact that automobile manufacturers are particularly desirous of eliminating all unnecessary noises, thus rendering the operation of their engines as quiet as possible.

It is therefore, the particular object of my invention to provide a valve-operating mechanism which will eliminate a great portion of the noise now occasioned by the operation of the valve and at the same time provide a suitable, positive and efficient action of the valves at all times, and under all conditions.

Another feature of improvement in my invention is to provide a valve-actuating mechanism which may be quickly and easily manufactured at a reasonable cost, and which may be easily installed and which can furthermore be repaired with facility.

The features of construction of my improved invention will be made more apparent as the description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through an internal combustion engine showing my im-- proved valve-operating mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 22 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 3-3 in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 4 is a separated perspective view of a portion of the valve-operating mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters Serial No. 624,487.

indicate like parts, it will be noted that there is illustrated an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder 10, a piston 11, a crank case 12, a cam shaft 13, carrying a cam 14. The reference character 15 indicates the valve which is normally closed by a spring 16 which bears on the one hand against a washer 17, and on the other against the head of the cylinder. In operation the valve 15 is adapted to be depressed against the action of the spring 16, as will be readily apparent.

My improved valve-operating mechanism consists of a pull-bar or member 18 which engages with one end 19 the valve 15, and with the other end 20 a guide rod 21 which is surrounded by the dummy spring 22, the strength of which is equal to the spring 16 of the valve. The rod 21 is guided in an opening 23 formed in a bracket arm 24L eX- tending from'the engine body.

Connected to the bar 18 and centrally thereof is a member 25, preferably a flexible member such as a cable or the like. The upper end thereof is threaded so as to be engaged by an adjusting nut 26, a lock-nut 27 being preferably provided to engage the underside of the bar 18.

Secured to the lower end of the cable and preferably by welding, is a nut 28 which is adapted to engage a threaded portion 29 of a 'tappet 30. After connection is made between the cable 25 and the tappet 30 by means of a nut 28, the connection is locked by means of a lock-nutSl.

The tappet 30 is half-moon shaped in cross section, the flat side 32 thereof being positioned away from the engine body as fully illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the cylindrical face 33 of the tappet engaging a similarly shaped recess formed in an enlargement 34 of the engine body. A guide plate 35 is secured in place by bolts 36 which extend through apertures in the ends of this guide-plate and are threaded into the engine body. Suitable adjustment of the guide-plate may be provided by inserting or removing one or more shims 37, as will be readily apparent.

Formed on the lower end of the tappet 30 is a ring member 38 which surrounds the cam shaft 13 and cam 14. Formed on the ring 38 and adjacent the lower portion thereof is a nipple or raised portion 39. This nipple 39 is adapted to ride on the surface of the cam 14, thus reciprocating the tappet 80 and exerting a downward pull on the pull 'bar 18 to open thevalve l5.

During the operation of the engine the cam shaft 18 and cam 14 are rotatedand by reason of the engagement of the nipple 39 therewith, a downward pull is exerted on the cable and consequently on the pull bar 18. nected to the pull-bar 18, at the center of the latter jan equalpressure is exerted on the springs '16. and 27, strength of the dummy spring 22 isequal to that of the valve spring 16, so that when thedownward pull is exerted on the bar 18,

the'bar will move downwardly, ;remaining .1

;.tappet, .Cam; on said cam 1' however, in a horizontal position, thus opening the valve 15' against the tension of .its spring 16. Obviously as the cam shaft 13 continues to rotate, the combined pressure ofthe springs 16 and 22will move th'ebar 18 to its uppermost position, whereupon the valve 15'will again be closed.

The noise incident to the" use of tappet rods and other similar operating meansfor controlling the valves, are therefore eliminated and the valve opera-tesp'ositi-vely and efliciently with; considerably less noise, The

time at which the valve 15 closes may be varied byadjusting the nut'26 to vary the 'ten- Furthermore the sion of the springs 16. tappet 130 may be adjusted by removing the guide-plate and inserting or removing the shims 37 arranged between the plate and the engine body. a

The construction of myimproved valveoperating mechanism is simple, whereby it may be manufactured at a minimum cost, and because of the accessibility and small number 'ofthe parts, it may be'easily repai'red,'or adjusted. p

l/Vhile-one'physical embodiment of my invention is described and illustrated herein,

I do not intend to unnecessarily limit this invention, but reserve the right to make Inasmuch as the cable 25-is conv respectively; The i such changes or modifications in the specific ing a? spring closed valve in the head there of and acam shaft of a horizontally disposed pull-bar, one end of said pull-bar engaging the said valve, adummy spring entgagingwtheiother end of said pull-baiy a flexible member connected to the center of said; pull-bar, a half-moon shaped tappet guidingly supported adj acentthe cam shaft of the engine, 'a cam ring.;carried bysaid ing and engaging the cam of the engine cam shaft, said tappet being connected to said flexible men1- ber wherebysaid horizontallyarranged -pull-bar may be displaced vertically to 011-; erate said valve. I

2. A 'val ve operating mechanism for use in connection w th an internal combust on engine having an overhead spring closed valve anda camshaft and-cam, said valve- "operatingmechanism comprising a horizontally arranged pull-bar engag ng said engine valve with one of its ends, a dummy spring of equal strength; arrangednnder the other end of saidpullbar, ahalf-moon shaped tappet Tguidingly supported "adjacent the cam shaft-of the engine, adjustable guiding'uneans; for said tap'pet, a cam ring connected to said tappet, a cam carried by said cam ring and engaging the cam of the engine cam-shaft and a flexible member connecting said, tappet; to; the center of said pull bar whereby saidpull-barmay be displaced vertically againstv the combined strength of the valve spring and dummy spring. In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

osnrn F. LENNON. 

